Trump Denies Ordering DOJ Political Retributions Against Comey, Bolton, James

President Donald Trump strongly denied accusations from CBS News' Norah O’Donnell that he is using political indictments as a form of retribution against his opponents, calling the suggestion unfounded and emphasizing that the prosecutions are based on genuine corruption. Trump highlighted the recent indictments of former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former national security adviser John Bolton, labeling them as "crooked" and "dirty." He pointed out that he himself has faced indictments and was found innocent, asserting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) acts independently without his instructions. Trump praised current DOJ officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel for pursuing cases against these figures due to their alleged wrongdoing. The president framed the indictments as part of a broader effort to hold corrupt actors accountable rather than political revenge, countering narratives pushed by Democrats and parts of the media. This interview also prompted discussions about media editing, with CBS releasing extended transcripts amid criticism of the broadcast version's omissions.